King's Business - 1918-11

974

F A C U L T Y A N D ST U D E N T BO D Y , BIB!

drinks we ought to look in the mirror and say “ Sinner.” First, because of the waste when millions of people over the seas are starving; second, because of the abuse in overloading and over­ taxing our digestive organs; third, because in allowing the appetite to rule, we are selling our birthright of being filled with the Spirit. No gormandizer can hear the voice of the Spirit speak­ ing to him as can one in whom the body is kept under. God took Esau at his word. He was willing to sell his birthright to satisfy his appetite and God allowed him to do it. Jacob’s intemperance took a more subtle but none the less dangerous form. While Esau thought oniy of the pres­ ent, Jacob thought only of the future. He was willing to sell the food he was preparing for himself that day to sat­ isfy his greed for position and power in the future. Jacob’s intemperance was that of unscrupulous avarice. He would stoop to any depths to make & good deal. He was a traitor to his brother and lacked in trust of God. He ought to have shared his pottage with his brother freely. He knew God had promised. the birthright to him. He ought to have trusted God to 'fulfill the promise. Infidelity to God and man always receives its just recompense. ,

Business; Esau was a hunter. He spent his time away from home in the woods and mountains. Jacob was a shepherd, living at home and in camp attending the flock. They differed in Character; Esau was the more lovable; if he was rash and sensual he was also frank and generous. Jacob was quiet, crafty, calm and religious. They differed in their Desires; Esau lived for the future rather than the present. Jacob’s thoughts were on the promised birth­ right.;. He lived in air castles and had angel dreams. Esau was intemperate as we most commonly use the word. His thought only of the present led him to regard the future but lightly. His weakness in indulging his appetite was stronger than his esteem for his birthright. Esau is not the only person who has sold the birthright for a mess of potta'ge. The nation is trying to teach us to-day the value of food conservation. Follow­ ers of Jpsus Christ ought not to have any need for learning this lesson. They ought to know it already. Indulgence of appetite is a sin against God. We point a finger at the drunkard and say “ Sinner.” If we are guilty of eating more food than we need, or if we are spending our nickels and dimes for candy and unnecessary sweets and

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